Q: What is 在?

在 (zài) has several different uses and functions . It can be used as preposition and sometimes verb. Most of them have to do with location. It is actually the 8th most common Chinese character , so you’ll see it pretty often.

Q: How to use 在?

在 (zài) can be used as preposition and sometimes verb. Here are some common structures: Subject + 在 + place + Verb Subject + 住/放/坐/站 + 在 + Location Subject + 在 + place + 吗？ (Negation) Subject + 不/没 + 在 + place

Q: What are some examples with 在?

Here are some examples with 在: 妈妈在超市买东西。 māmā zài chāoshì mǎi dōngxī. | Mum is shopping in the supermarket. 他坐在沙发上。 tā zuò zài shāfā shàng. | He is sitting on the sofa. 妈妈在家。 māmā zàijiā. | Mum is at home. 妈妈不在家。 māmā bù zàijiā. | Mum is not at home.

Q: Is it necessary to learn how to use 在?

It is indeed! There are some basic sentence structures you absolutely need to learn, otherwise you’ll have trouble expressing yourself and make sentences correctly. The same goes for many other particles of the Chinese language, such as the use of 的 and 吗 for example.

Q: Any other grammar I should know about?

There are a few indeed. Here is a list to get you started: How to use 的 How to use 不 How to use 吧 How to use 呢 How to use 吗

Question 1

What is 在?

Accepted Answer

在 (zài) has several different uses and functions. It can be used as preposition and sometimes verb. Most of them have to do with location.

It is actually the 8th most common Chinese character, so you’ll see it pretty often.

Question 2

How to use 在?

Accepted Answer

在 (zài) can be used as preposition and sometimes verb.

Here are some common structures:

Subject + 在 + place + Verb

Subject + 住/放/坐/站 + 在 + Location

Subject + 在 + place + 吗？

(Negation) Subject + 不/没 + 在 + place

Question 3

What are some examples with 在?

Accepted Answer

Here are some examples with 在:

妈妈在超市买东西。māmā zài chāoshì mǎi dōngxī. | Mum is shopping in the supermarket.

他坐在沙发上。tā zuò zài shāfā shàng. | He is sitting on the sofa.

妈妈在家。māmā zàijiā. | Mum is at home.

妈妈不在家。māmā bù zàijiā. | Mum is not at home.

Question 4

Is it necessary to learn how to use 在?

Accepted Answer

It is indeed!

There are some basic sentence structures you absolutely need to learn, otherwise you’ll have trouble expressing yourself and make sentences correctly.

The same goes for many other particles of the Chinese language, such as the use of 的 and 吗 for example.

Question 5

Any other grammar I should know about?

Accepted Answer

There are a few indeed.

Here is a list to get you started:

How to use 的

How to use 不

How to use 吧

How to use 呢

How to use 吗

Question 6

Where to find other Chinese learning resources?

Accepted Answer

At LTL we provide new learning resources for free every WEEK!

Check out our Grammar Bank for sentence structures and basic language rules.

Visit our blog for weekly content about all things China and Chinese language related.

Follow us on Instagram for weekly vocabulary posts, and on YouTube for even more free content.

Finally, did you know we offer a free trial of 3 hours for you to try our Flexi Classes? More details here.

Grammar Point	Pattern	Example
Using 在 to indicate location	S+ 在 + Location + V	弟弟在书店买书。
Using 怎么 to ask “how”	S+ 怎么 + Verb / Adj ？	你怎么去上班？
要 to Indicate “want / need / should”	S + 要 + Verb / Noun	我要学汉语。
The difference between 和 and 跟	S + 和 / 跟 + Person + V + O	我和朋友去玩。
Expressing “too” with 也	S + 也 + Verb / Phrase	她也喜欢跳舞。
Expressing "all" with 都	S + 都 + V / Adj	我们都要去滑雪。
Talk about age with 岁	S+ Number + 岁	她18岁了。
很 to imply "very"	N + 很 + Adj	我很忙。
Possessive particle 的	S + 的 + Noun	这是我的手机。

Chinese Grammar Bank

HSK 1